A Year Late(r)

A year ago I had plans to go to Denver for a beer trip with my cousin. Things happen, life got in the way, and we ended up in Asheville, NC instead. Which, by the way, is also a heck of a beer trip. Enjoyed some great beers at some new-to-me breweries, met some great people, and had a good time with my cousin. But I felt sad I'd missed Denver. Just a little.

Fast forward to today. I'm about 30 hours from arriving in Denver. I've just finished packing. I'm drinking a Jester King Boxer's Revenge (with some other treats to follow) trying to clear cellar room for what is sure to be a significant haul upon my return. 

I. Am. Excited. 

Now the caveat. This is not a beer trip. Make no mistake, I always work in beer--and Mrs Butler is great about accommodating that--but this is a family trip. 12+ hours drive with the kids. Museums. Zoos. Pools. The great outdoors. 

And you know what? I think I may be even more excited.

To many, that may sound like a buzzkill on a trip to a beer Utopia, but for me, it sounds like an adventure. I'll still get to taste a boatload of new beers. I'll still work in a couple breweries. I'll still be bringing back a bunch of beer to enjoy here at home, hopefully with friends. On top of that? I get to share it with the family. 

We love museums. We love zoos. We love natural scenic beauty. Pools? I'll leave that to my girls. Well, ok, fine. I'll play nice.

We also get to see some old friends and take in a baseball game...and it just so happens the Cubs are in town to play the Rockies. 

No. I promise. We did NOT plan that.

Early plans have us hitting TRVE, Great Divide, Crooked Stave and hopefully Trinity Brewpub. Along with Falling Rock Taphouse & Vine Street Pub & Brewery. For one week, that is plenty. Sure if I was just on a guy's trip, we'd hit more breweries. Sure, there wouldn't be museums, there'd be golf. There wouldn't be great outdoors, there'd be great beer gardens. No zoos, more bars. And sure, that would be great.

But I'll take the animals, the museums, baseball and the scenery with my family. Maybe I'm getting old, and that's ok. 

I'm just excited to go. 

Cheers,

Chris

I see a Yeti

Okay, after a vacation and getting the kids back to school, I return. This is a brew I picked up in St Louis last year on one of Kelsie's Children's Center Hospital visits. I picked it up mid 2011, so I've been waiting awhile on this one. This brewery is another reason I have GOT to get to Colorado in the very near future.

Review #37
Belgian Style Yeti Imperial Stout  ABV: 9.5%    22 oz bottle poured into Chimay bulb
Great Divide   Denver, CO    bottled Jul 27, 2011

A - A milk chocolate pour, with a consistent creamy, latte colored head. Great retention and the lacing trails all the way down the glass. Beautiful picture of an imperial stout.

S - A chocolate dominant aroma with hints of dark and candied fruits. Very rich and bold, with a lightly hopped smell at the very back. Slightly metallic smell comes and goes among the other notes, and there is a definite alcohol presence.

T - Big chocolate here, but there is more at play on the palate. Certainly not one dimensional with the fruity notes  popping in and out--cherry, figs, and even some apple on the tart side. There is a solid Belgian yeastiness here too, with lots of roast malts, especially on the long finish. The alcohol is fairly tame compared to the aroma, but is more evident as the beer warms and grows. There is a light licorice hit on the warmer end that wasn't there previously.

M - A medium, lightly carbonated mouth feel, but creamy and luscious

O - This is a BIG beer, it is dessert rich, and it is smooth and satisfying. The light carbonation keeps the beer feeling light despite its power and ABV. The layers of flavor are interesting and have a great depth that keeps you coming back for another sip. Its a one hour plus beer for sure, but feels like it could be sneaky if you tried for two and picked up a head of steam. All in all, a wonderful beer by a great stalwart in the industry. Another reason Great Divide is among my top tier breweries and is near the top of the list of breweries to visit. Well done!

Cheers,
Chris